Corporate heraldry thrives in South Africa, especially among schools, colleges and universities. About half the arms registered since the inception of the Bureau of Heraldry in 1963 have been those of organisations, though the number of new applications seems to have dropped in recent years.

Background
The first corporate arms to be borne in South Africa were those of the Verenigde Oost Indische Compagnie ("Dutch East India Company"), which ruled the Cape of Good Hope from 1652 to 1795. However, modern corporate heraldry appear to have begun with the arms adopted by the Anglican dioceses of Cape Town (1847), Grahamstown and Natal (1853).

Since then, countless educational institutions, clubs, commercial firms, hospitals, professional bodies, religious organisations, and societies have adopted arms. Between 1904 and 1960, at least twenty-three corporate bodies obtained grants from the College of Arms or the Lyon Office.

Voluntary registration of corporate "badges" - which could include arms - was introduced in 1935, to enable their owners to protect them against unauthorised use. The Department of the Interior was the registering authority until 1959, when the Department of Education, Arts & Sciences' new Heraldry Section took over the function. Heraldic correctness was not a requirement for registration until the Bureau of Heraldry took over as the registering authority in 1963.

About half of the corporate arms registered since 1963 have been those of schools, technikons and universities. The Bureau encourages simplicity of design, and has devised standard patterns for the arms of technical colleges and technikons (recently renamed "universities of technology"). The medical profession is also fond of heraldry, and many hospitals and medical organisations have registered arms.

The commercial world seems to prefer logos to coats of arms, and some armigerous firms have discontinued displaying their arms in favour of their logos. One well-known bank has based its logo on its arms.

Characteristics
The arms of educational institutions usually consist only of shields, with or without motto scrolls. Other types of organisation may well have crests and helmets (with mantling), and a few large and prominent bodies have supporters. African shields are used by some organisations.

Charges on shields often allude to the activities of the organisation. Arms of schools and hospitals often include charges representing the towns or districts which they serve. The arms of medical organisations often include the colour maroon (murrey), and the traditional Rod of Aesculapius, the nurse's lamp, and the ankh (ansate cross) are very popular charges.

Legal Protection
A corporate coat of arms belongs to the organisation, but in the case of clubs and societies members are often allowed to display the arms, e.g. on neckties or blazer pocket badges, to denote membership. The same applies to school badges worn on uniforms, tracksuits etc. Registered arms are protected under the Heraldry Act, and anyone who wears, uses, sells, barters or trades in unauthorised representations of them can (i) be stopped by court order, and/or (ii) be sued for damages of up to 1000 rands.